India Foundation for the Arts (IFA) will be at 'Speaking of Theatre' a unique two-day confluence that will engage theatre makers, performers and audiences through panel discussions, lectures, debates and of course, performances organised by Tahatto and Atta Galatta. Join us as we screen The Nine Months supported by IFA and for a special session, where Arundhati Ghosh, Executive Director (IFA) will be in conversation with our grantee Sharanya Ramprakash.

The Nine Months
A film by Merajur Rahman Baruah
(77 Minutes), Assamese with English subtitles
Saturday|July 18, 2015 |03:00PM

The Nine Months by Merajur Rahman Baruah, examines the history, form, style and aesthetics of the mobile theatre of Assam. It explores the various kinds of plays staged by the mobile theatre, their concerns and the genre's transformation from presenting mythological and folk stories to contemporary themes with social and political implications. The film also captures the experience and perspectives of mobile theatre promoters, directors, actors, technicians, and stagehands, while documenting the impact of globalisation on its practice.Merajur Rahman Baruah received a grant from IFA, under its Arts Research and Documentation programme in 2008.

Arundhati and Sharanya will discuss the role of grantmaking in the arts and particularly, in theatre. With the support of a grant under the Arts Practice programme from IFA, Sharanya is working on creating a theatrical production that explores the position of women in performance. Drawing from research and personal experience, Sharanya will explore the roles of women characters and streevesha (female impersonation) within the male-dominated practice of Yakshagana. The performance is scheduled to premiere in Udupi in November 2015. Sharanya will share her experiences with this exploration and speak about what funding could do for artists.

About the Speakers
Arundhati is the Executive Director of India Foundation for the Arts. She is also a core team member for SMART (Strategic Management for the Art of Theatre), India's first capacity building programme for theatre practitioners.

Sharanya is a stage actor and director, and is one of the founders of Dramanon, Bangalore. A recipient of the INLAKS Theatre Award 2014, she has trained at the Udupi Yakshagana Kendra under the legendary Guru Bannanje Sanjeeva Suvarna.